Aqua bowl



Nov. 12, 1963 J. M. BRINGMAN AQUA BOWL 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fil ed Dec. 12,1961 I I I I p U l n I I I 4 g a G 4 0 a n u a n L v. .1 v u b w I 1 I IN v- 1963 J. M. BRINGMAN AQUA BOWL United States Patent 3,119,347 AQUABUWL John M. Bringman, deceased, late of Pccatello, Idaho, by Grace S.Bringman, administratrix, Rt]. Box 1211, 126 Gray, Pocatello, IdahoFiled Dec. 12, 1961, Sar. No. 153,911 1 Claim. (Ql. 9-310) Thisinvention relates to an aqua bowl or surf bowl, the primary object ofthe invention being to provide a device of this character which may beused as an amusement or exercising device in swimming pools, orconveniently used for use as a water ski, surf board, balancing bowl orthe like.

An important object of the invention is to provide a device of thischaracter including a bowl-like body having extension bars removablyattached thereto, whereby swimmers may operate the bowl as ateeter-totter in swimming pools.

Another object of the invention is to provide an aqua amusement devicein the form of a bowl, the bowl being closed providing a leakproofstructure to insure sufiicient buoyancy to support the weight ofswimmers, and at the same time provide a device which may be used as aski, the rounded bottom of the body providing a surface for riding thewaves, and one which is exceptionally sensitive to the action of theforce of waves or rough water conditions, thereby adding to theamusement in operating the device.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details ofconstruction and combinations of parts, hereinafter more fully describedand pointed out in the claim, it being understood that changes may bemade in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing fromthe spirit of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of an aqua bowl, constructed in accordance withthe invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken on line 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken on line 33 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of the device used as a water ski or balancingbowl.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmental sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIGURE 1.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the aqua bowl forming the subjectmatter or" the present invention comprises a bowl-like body indicatedgenerally by the reference character 5, the bowl-like body being closedat its top by means of the integral closure 6 which overlies the rim ofthe body providing a water tight structure and lending buoyancy to thebody so that the body will adequately support swimmers standing thereon.

The body portion 5 may be constructed of any suitable material, such asfiber glass, semi-rigid rubber or plastic material as desired.

The body portion 5 is formed with an interior enlargement 7 whichextends transversely of the closure 6, the

enlargement 7 being formed with a bore 8 extending longitudinallythereof.

The reinforcing tube 9 extends throughout the length of the bore 8, andis constructed preferably of metal to lend rigidity to the structure.

The tube 9 is provided with openings .10 arranged in spaced relationwith respect to each other, which openings register with openings 11 inthe closure 6, as better shown by FIGURE 6 of the drawings.

The reference character 12 indicates tubular handles which are providedwith leaf springs 13 that are welded or otherwise secured within saidtubular handles, the leaf springs 13 providing supports for the pins 14-which find their way into the openings of the tubular handles andclosures, securely locking the handles in position within F the body ofthe device.

It might be stated that in the present showing two of such pins 14 areemployed in each handle to insure the attachment of the handles againstaccidental displacement while in use.

In order to remove the handles, it is only necessary to force aninstrument through the openings 11 of the closure, and force the pinsdownwardly below the inner edges of the openings of the tubular member9, whereupon the handles 12 may be withdrawn.

Hand grips 15 comprising crossheads are formed at the outer ends of thehandles 12 and afford means whereby a person may grip the handles andmanipulate the aqua bowl as desired. These hand grips may also be usedas seats, should it be desired to use the bowl as a teetertotter.

The upper surface of the closure 6 is roughened, so that the surfacewill be proof against slipping by swimmers standing thereon.

The reference character 16 indicates an eye bolt which is secured to theclosure 6 adjacent to the edge thereof, to which eye bolt the link 17 ispivotally connected, the link providing means for attaching the rope orcable 18 to the eye bolt '16. The eye bolt 16 is located approximatelyfrom the handles 12. The rope or cable 18 is provided with a crosshandle 19 which may be held by the swimmer standing on the upper surfaceof the bowl, in balancing himself during the use of the device as a skior a balancing amusement device.

From the foregoing it will be seen that due to the construction shownand described, there has been provided an aqua bowl wherein a roundedsurface is presented as the bottom of the bowl rests on the surface ofthe water in which the aqua bowl is being used, and that because of theconvertible features of the aqua bowl, the device may be used as anamusement device for swimmers, and be used as a ski, or other aquaamusements, by the addition of the handles 12.

Having thus described the invention,what is claimed is:

An aqua amusement device comprising a bowl-like body presenting a curvedbottom, and a flat top overlying the rim of and sealing said bowl-likebody, providing a platform, an integral diametric tubular enlargementformed integral with and depending from said flat top into said sealedbody, said enlargement having a bore extending longitudinallytherethrough and open at its ends, tubular handles extending into saidbore, a metal tube fitted within said bore, said tube, tubularenlargement,

and fiat top having aligned openings therethrough, said handles havingopenings therein alignable with said firstrnentioned openings, leafsprings secured within said tubular handles, locking pins secured tosaid springs extending through said openings in said handles into saidfirst-mentioned aligned openings removably retaining said tubularhandles in said bore, With portions of said handles extending beyond theside wall of said body for effecting operation thereof, cross heads onsaid handles, an eye secured to said flat top on the platform sidethereof adjacent the periphery at a point approximately 90 from saidextending handles, and a balancing rope secured to said eye.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

